Movement & Transportation

Blocked Sidewalk Next to Ralphs Shows Little Concern for Pedestrians

By Eric Richardson — June 11, 2008
15 Comments

Another Sidewalk Closure

A stretch of sidewalk next to Downtown's new Ralphs is closed due to construction, leaving pedestrians inconvenienced and creating an unsafe situation as walkers take to the street. Downtown is widely talked of as a place for pedestrians, where those who live and work are freed from the need to have a car, but the city's attitude toward sidewalks has largely...


Historic Core Braces for "Criminal Minds"

By Eric Richardson — June 10, 2008
29 Comments

Downtown Filming

The Historic Core gets a major television shoot this week, as the CBS show "Criminal Minds" moves into town for a location stay spanning Wednesday through Friday. Nighttime shots are the order of the day, with closures slated for Broadway, Spring and 6th streets.


Upper 2nd Nearing Its Grand Connection

By Eric Richardson — June 06, 2008
2 Comments

Connecting 2nd

Work on the connection between upper 2nd street and Grand Avenue is nearing an August completion. Westbound 2nd street enters its tunnel at Hill street, traveling under Bunker Hill to Figueroa. The upper spur of 2nd had previously connected Hill street to Olive, but will continue up to Grand Avenue after completion. A separate stretch of 2nd connects Grand...


Streetcar Workshop Afternoon Panels

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008
10 Comments

Jolene Hayes

After a hearty lunch, the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop kicked things back into gear this afternoon. Two panels were slated for the afternoon. Streetcar 202 looked at the nuts and bolts of options for running streetcar lines. Local Case Studies showed that Downtown isn't the only place in Southern California looking at streetcar operation.


Streetcar Panels #2 & #3

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008

Watching Steve Brye's Slides

Panel two of the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop was a short one, focused on the history of L.A.'s trolley system and an update on the work that's been done on bringing the streetcar back. Panel three, titled "Ok, but What About...?" brought Downtown leaders to the podium to ask questions of the panelists from the morning opener.


Streetcar Panel #1

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008

Panel 1

Panel one of the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop ran the gamut of streetcar topics. Titled "Streetcars 101," it was a in-depth primer on designing, funding and building a system. With each of the five panels today we'll be running a recap of some of the panelists' comments and the Q&A session that follows the presentations.


Streetcar Workshop Intros Highlight Downtown Transformation

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008
1 Comment

Gloria Ohland

The introductions to today's Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop focused on the transformation currently underway in Downtown, and how public transportation in general and the streetcar in specific are necessary components of urban revitalization. Opening remarks were given by Councilmembers Jose Huizar and Jan Perry, Don Spivack of the Community Redevelopment Agency...


Streetcar Workshop Set to Get Underway

By Eric Richardson — May 22, 2008

Registration

Today is the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop, and I'm sitting in the Orpheum Theatre as opening remarks kick off. Ed Fuentes is to my right, all set to take photos of the day's events. Thanks to the theatre's WIFI and power we'll be posting live updates throughout the day. After each session I'll post a recap here on the site. Those who are particularly eager...


Lots to Like in Hail-a-Taxi Implementation

By Eric Richardson — May 20, 2008
5 Comments

Passing Fares

Curbed was first to report last week that the city's Taxicab Commissioners had approved a Hail-a-Taxi pilot program for Downtown. Not covered, though, were details on how the program would be implemented. Looking through the report approved by the Commissioners, there's lots to like for Downtowners. The protocols for when and how cabs can stop are well thought...


Renders Show Reimagined 1st & Alameda

By Eric Richardson — May 19, 2008
19 Comments

1st & Alameda Render

Renderings presented by Metro at recent meetings show potentially huge changes for the corner of 1st & Alameda. Three layers of action could see north-south traffic bypassing the intersection from below, while fanciful elevated sidewalks would send pedestrians above the cars and trains below. The renders are part of Metro's Alternatives Analysis study...